So how are you feeling Col? Been thinking of you all week and wondering how you're doing. Hope that you're watching back to back rom coms or are relaxing in the sunshine if it's still warm enough.
All okay at this end. I've been trying to fend off either tonsillitis or a cold since Monday, the body obviously went into shock following the good times and the late nights last weekend and so I have some kind of lurgy brewing. I didn't have to be up early today so of course, I woke at 3am. I was dreaming of swimming underwater just before that, it was somewhere very blue and very floaty, no breathing apparatus but definitely not drowning, just weightless gliding and quite lovely.
Work wasn't too bad, I had four; "your hair looks nice," on Tuesday after I couldn't be bothered to do anything and so just ran the straighteners over the fringe and sides. So much for all of the mornings blow drying and curling!
Spoke to B last night and had the usual conversation; "you ok, yes?" followed by, "anything to report, no?" Remember how "closed questions" were drummed into us Col? Not only do I get closed questions, but she answers them for me too. I really want to say; "my brain fell out last week and there is a shark living in my garden," but I just say "yes" and "no," it's easier.
I worked out for an hour this morning, probably a mistake as I sounded like a wheezy ninety year old by the time I'd finished. I'm here... you know where and after my filter, (not quite ready for green tea yet,) I'll be heading home to mow the front lawn. The grass isn't terrible but you know how it has a sudden growth spurt at this time of year and compared to next door's perfectly manicured specimen, it looks a show. After that, I need to iron then I need to revamp my resume. It's not that long since I redid my cv but I looked up an example online last night and it's totally different now. Did you know you should open with "a personal statement"? Could be tricky. Do you think, "you'd be a fool not to employ me" is too pushy? I'm looking for something low profile and "back of house" for the second job. Something not too challenging after a day at work would be good.
A mother and daughter have just sat on the next two stools to my right. Very well groomed, perfectly nice, I've just asked if they'd like me to move up a stool but they're ok still, the perfume is pretty overpowering. Mr Regular comes over to tell me not to get too stressed that someone has invaded my space! I really don't mind... am I that transparent? Maybe he would have felt stressed. They're not there too long but I've been desperately trying not to cough, reminds me of D's wedding when I had bronchitis and I tried only to cough during the hymns and not the vows.
Vanessa Feltz has taken over the radio show which accompanies me to work in the mornings. I was a bit sceptical but it must be difficult for presenters to hit the right note that time in the morning, there are of course night shift workers and insomniacs who've been up for hours and are wide awake and people like myself who haven't been up that long and are still feeling a little fragile and sleepy, must be a difficult balance for them. Lady V... as she likes to be known, was quite entertaining at first and refreshing, her predecessor, Sarah Kennedy was lovely and a bit like an eccentric Aunt but quite pleasant to listen to first thing in the morning, Aled Jones who sometimes covers is just lovely, totally unchallenging, (in a good way,) and his easy voice and gentle humour are perfect and just wash over you. Lady V... in comparison, while initially a breath of fresh air, is quite jarring on the nerves at that time in the morning. Her delivery is vociferous bordering on argumentative and she's there on her own for most of the time! Imagine the most dramatic lawyer in the world, summing up the closing argument of his life, and you'll get the idea. Anyway, I had to mute her on occasions this week. I want to like her but maybe it's the lurgy taking over, maybe I'm just not a morning person, maybe she's just too loud for that time slot.
Take a look, how cute? http://ow.ly/i/aggn
Friday, 15 April 2011
Monday, 11 April 2011
Appendicitis?
Are you kidding me? Just got R's message, can't believe you didn't wait for me to get there again before you succumbed to appendicitis! Remember the knee op? I had a lovely afternoon waiting for you to come out of surgery and I seem to remember a rather handsome doctor, and lets face it, you're not the worst patient in the world to be around. I'll phone at the weekend, be prepared to do mucho grovelling in recompense. I love you sweet pea and I'm not at all worried... you know I'm being ironic right? x
Check In
JR drops me at the airport which is packed to the rafters, Sunday, late afternoon must be a popular time to travel. Security men are unusually chatty and even comment on the sparkly bracelets. I'm now sitting here in the airport bar, with a cool, white wine spritzer, writing to you. I've had a very packed, but truly lovely, long weekend. The usual worries haven't totally left me, but, despite the tiredness, I feel like I have in fact, recharged the batteries. Talking through and sharing the many ideas in my head, and hearing them out loud, has really made me think. Silent ponderings are so easy to overlook and to ignore, discussing them gives them life and I'm now so awash with ideas, I don't know where to begin. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight, and going for a run in the morning, sweet dreams x
Heading Home
Another late night, I slept great but woke early still feeling sleep deprived. JR and I picked up H&M at 11am and we drove to Uppark House, built in 1690 but with much of the upper floor restored after a huge fire in 1989. It was a fascinating insight into the lives of the Feathersonehaugh family and their connection to the then Prince of Wales. Interestingly, we walked past a house in Hampstead on Friday with a blue plaque indicating that Orson Wells had lived there and it was Orson Wells's mother who was housekeeper of Uppark House for twelve years... what a small world. We had a very lazy/leisurely few hours at Uppark, drinking coffee, gazing at the unspoilt South Downs and wandering around the house, I doubt that the view had changed in two centuries. We had lunch at Uppark followed by ice cream in the gardens then drove back through the countryside for coffee at H&M's before leaving for the airport.
9th April
Happy Birthday Mum! I'm so tired, my eyes feel like they're stuck together. First activity of the day is to help out H&M at a charity event for the Bible Society. H and hubby M had already committed before I planned to come down and so JR and I were volunteered to assist too, which is fine! I have a sneaking suspicion than the majority of tea and coffee drinkers will be elderly and mature adults love me ;) It was only two hours out of the morning, the people were lovely and inquisitive, I love that people greet you with mild suspicion; where had I come from? Would I move down here? Who did I know? They were all lovely.
Following our good deed, H&M, JR and I had lunch out, we decided on quite a substantial lunch as we would not be having dinner tonight as we were heading out to the theatre. We had lunch at The Red Lion, a beautiful pub with a thatched roof in luscious, green surroundings. After lunch we went for a walk around the church grounds just across the road from the pub. The church itself was locked but we wandered the church yard which I'm always fascinated by. The oldest headstone I came across was dated 1723, there were many in the 1800's with lots of the deceased aged from teens to mid twenties which is a reminder of the mortality rate of the times. Most of the headstones were covered with lichen which obscured the inscription sadly. The grounds where beautiful and tranquil, and looking at the view, I imagine it has hardly changed in the last 200 years. One of the dedicated benches read; "the best is yet to come." How wonderful.
After an hour of rest, we head over to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, relatively new, being built in 1928, it was a beautiful theatre except... for the seating. The seats, bless them, were in dire need of attention. JR had booked us great seats to watch Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone star in "Midnight Tango." It's fortunate that we were all familiar with each other as the seats caused JR to lean into me, I lent into M and so on. The seats are desperately in need of some TLC to stop the listing to the right. The challenging seating didn't stop the enjoyment though. The story was played out through actions and dance, (Argentine Tango,) set in old Argentina complete with gauchos, smokey atmosphere and fabulous dresses and shoes on Flavia. The whole evening was wonderful but the best moments were Flavia and Vincent, alone on stage... you could have heard a pin drop and I will never tire of watching them.
Following our good deed, H&M, JR and I had lunch out, we decided on quite a substantial lunch as we would not be having dinner tonight as we were heading out to the theatre. We had lunch at The Red Lion, a beautiful pub with a thatched roof in luscious, green surroundings. After lunch we went for a walk around the church grounds just across the road from the pub. The church itself was locked but we wandered the church yard which I'm always fascinated by. The oldest headstone I came across was dated 1723, there were many in the 1800's with lots of the deceased aged from teens to mid twenties which is a reminder of the mortality rate of the times. Most of the headstones were covered with lichen which obscured the inscription sadly. The grounds where beautiful and tranquil, and looking at the view, I imagine it has hardly changed in the last 200 years. One of the dedicated benches read; "the best is yet to come." How wonderful.
After an hour of rest, we head over to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, relatively new, being built in 1928, it was a beautiful theatre except... for the seating. The seats, bless them, were in dire need of attention. JR had booked us great seats to watch Flavia Cacace and Vincent Simone star in "Midnight Tango." It's fortunate that we were all familiar with each other as the seats caused JR to lean into me, I lent into M and so on. The seats are desperately in need of some TLC to stop the listing to the right. The challenging seating didn't stop the enjoyment though. The story was played out through actions and dance, (Argentine Tango,) set in old Argentina complete with gauchos, smokey atmosphere and fabulous dresses and shoes on Flavia. The whole evening was wonderful but the best moments were Flavia and Vincent, alone on stage... you could have heard a pin drop and I will never tire of watching them.
Sleep Deprived
Horrid nights sleep last night. I never sleep particularly well on my first night away from home, (unless I've just travelled for at least 24 hours before hand.) I lay awake for hours and at one point, thought I felt something on my arm, I moved pretty quickly and turned on the light to see rather a large spider near the wall about a metre away from me. Had that eight legged creature been on my arm or was my esp in overdrive? This is why I don't possess a valance, it's a ladder for spiders people. I watched spidey walk along the floor to the corner of the room and then I lost him, I'm thinking he was laying low behind the wicker chest at the foot of the bed.
I think I managed around three hours sleep, so I woke very bleary eyed. Despite two slices of little toast and blackcurrant jam at 8ish, I was ravenous by the time JR, H and I arrived at Brentcross shopping mall around 11. H needed a few essentials and so JR and I had a little look around and I had a Bakewell Slice and latte to stave off the hunger until lunchtime.
We arrived at Hampstead around 12.30 to visit with S and baby A who is actually now 18 months old and is a walking, talking and very sociable whirlwind. We had lunch at the Freemason's Arms then on to the Heath for a lovely walk followed by an iced coffee frappacino while baby slept. Back at the flat, baby is full of beans, you know how toddlers appear drunk on laughter sometimes? Baby A was giddy with laughter, excitement and twirly, such a joy to watch. Our spelling is challenged as we have to spell out some words so as not to tip off bright baby A, we have an emergency D-I-G-G-E-R in the bag, not to mention a B-A-N-N-A-N-A P-O-U-C-H, life can be a B-I-T-C-H sometimes.
Back at S's, we played with building blocks, had numerous rounds of the obligatory peek-a-boo and several story times. Baby A sat very quietly on my crossed legs while I read The Gruffalo to him, he's so beautiful and so good. I sat on the terrace while baby A had a very quick bath time, (I think he was frightened of missing something,) swiftly followed by bedtime, at which point S produced a sterling dinner and the adults had a few lovely hours of relaxed conversation and a little pink fizz for those of us who hadn't given up alcohol for Lent. It was lovely to have a few hours conversation and catch up with dear friends.
We arrive back at JR's around midnight, I'm so tired but it's been such a lovely day, needless to say, after 3 hours sleep last night, I slept like a log.
I think I managed around three hours sleep, so I woke very bleary eyed. Despite two slices of little toast and blackcurrant jam at 8ish, I was ravenous by the time JR, H and I arrived at Brentcross shopping mall around 11. H needed a few essentials and so JR and I had a little look around and I had a Bakewell Slice and latte to stave off the hunger until lunchtime.
We arrived at Hampstead around 12.30 to visit with S and baby A who is actually now 18 months old and is a walking, talking and very sociable whirlwind. We had lunch at the Freemason's Arms then on to the Heath for a lovely walk followed by an iced coffee frappacino while baby slept. Back at the flat, baby is full of beans, you know how toddlers appear drunk on laughter sometimes? Baby A was giddy with laughter, excitement and twirly, such a joy to watch. Our spelling is challenged as we have to spell out some words so as not to tip off bright baby A, we have an emergency D-I-G-G-E-R in the bag, not to mention a B-A-N-N-A-N-A P-O-U-C-H, life can be a B-I-T-C-H sometimes.
Back at S's, we played with building blocks, had numerous rounds of the obligatory peek-a-boo and several story times. Baby A sat very quietly on my crossed legs while I read The Gruffalo to him, he's so beautiful and so good. I sat on the terrace while baby A had a very quick bath time, (I think he was frightened of missing something,) swiftly followed by bedtime, at which point S produced a sterling dinner and the adults had a few lovely hours of relaxed conversation and a little pink fizz for those of us who hadn't given up alcohol for Lent. It was lovely to have a few hours conversation and catch up with dear friends.
We arrive back at JR's around midnight, I'm so tired but it's been such a lovely day, needless to say, after 3 hours sleep last night, I slept like a log.
Arrival in Hampshire
I make my way to the pickup point but we appear to have a new procedure and a nice gentleman is directing drop off/pick up people into the car park, instead of letting them park for two minutes to deposit/collect their human cargo. I try to tell him that I'm just waiting for my friend to collect me but he insists that he'll direct them to the car park when they arrive and the first ten minutes are free, sounds like a lot of faff for a 60 second manoeuvre but maybe the airport has become busier in the last few months and it's to stop a backlog of drop off/pick up traffic?
I'm only there two or three minutes when JR and H, (driving, ) arrive, I was only expecting JR so this is a nice surprise. Traffic police does his best to direct but H pulls into the old allotted space and while she's gesticulating in my direction, I'm running over the crossing with my case and before I know it, she's out of the 4X4 with the boot open for me to throw my case in.
We head back to JR's and onto the patio for a relaxing afternoon of sitting in the sunshine, drinking alcohol free wine, (JR is teetotal and H has given up for Lent.... such bad timing,) and catching up, it was lovely. JR had prepared dinner in advance and after more chat, we go for a walk to find this magnificent Magnolia tree shaped like an umbrella a few minutes away. Somehow, the conversation turned to television and I did my duty and extolled the virtues of Bondi Rescue and so, upon our return from the walk, I introduced JR and H to the wonders of Bondi Rescue via You Tube, JR was hooked.
I'm only there two or three minutes when JR and H, (driving, ) arrive, I was only expecting JR so this is a nice surprise. Traffic police does his best to direct but H pulls into the old allotted space and while she's gesticulating in my direction, I'm running over the crossing with my case and before I know it, she's out of the 4X4 with the boot open for me to throw my case in.
We head back to JR's and onto the patio for a relaxing afternoon of sitting in the sunshine, drinking alcohol free wine, (JR is teetotal and H has given up for Lent.... such bad timing,) and catching up, it was lovely. JR had prepared dinner in advance and after more chat, we go for a walk to find this magnificent Magnolia tree shaped like an umbrella a few minutes away. Somehow, the conversation turned to television and I did my duty and extolled the virtues of Bondi Rescue and so, upon our return from the walk, I introduced JR and H to the wonders of Bondi Rescue via You Tube, JR was hooked.
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